Forgery thrives in the gaps — among gut feelings, soft opinions, and institutional silence. We built a company to close those gaps. We use cutting-edge science, AI, and 'old-fashioned' research and connoisseurship to say one thing with confidence: this artwork is, or is not, what it claims to be.
And if we certify it is authentic, we'll stand behind it — backed by one of the world's largest insurance companies.
Forgery thrives in the gaps — among gut feelings, soft opinions, and institutional silence. We built a company to close those gaps. We use science, artificial intelligence (AI), provenance research and connoisseurship to say one thing with confidence: this artwork is, or is not, what it claims to be.
Signed but overlooked. Until now. After our analysis, this René Magritte soared past its $600,000–$800,000 estimate and sold for $1,134,000 at Christie's. With little verifiable provenance, it was our scientific analysis that proved critical in authenticating the work.
Since 2009, ArtDiscovery has analyzed over 8,000 artworks across five continents. We've helped 5200 clients — collectors, museums, insurers, auction houses — make high-stakes decisions with clarity. Our science has underwritten more than $1billion in art. And along the way, we’ve helped artworks move from uncertainty to acceptance — in many cases, dramatically increasing their market value.
Not all analysis carries weight. Ours does. That’s why the world’s top auction houses, galleries, art advisors, insurers, and private banks don’t just trust our findings — they act on them.
We help collectors unlock value. We give art advisors and their clients the clarity to make informed decisions. We mitigate risk for financial lenders and insurers.
We don’t just produce reports. We produce outcomes. We open doors and opportunities, and take our clients through the entire authentication process.
These are some of the works our team has helped authenticate.
1. Science: We begin with material testing — using SEM-EDX, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, radiocarbon dating, and more to establish the age and composition of the artwork. Scientific imaging such as X-ray and infrared (IR) imaging provides essential information about artist’s techniques and the construction of an artwork. We are uniquely positioned contextualise these data points in the context of technical art history.
2. AI Pictology: Our proprietary machine learning tools analyse visual patterns in brushwork, composition, and material handling. These models are trained on a controlled dataset of authenticated works — no guesswork, just data.
3. Provenance Research: We trace the artwork’s ownership and exhibition history, aligning documentary evidence with physical findings.
4. Connoisseurship: We consult with the leading specialists, art dealers, and academics as a final step in the authentication process.
At ArtDiscovery, we use science, connoisseurship, and deep research to bring clarity to one of the most opaque corners of the art market. Below are answers to some of the things we get asked most.
Every artwork has its own questions. Our job is to answer them, clearly and correctly. A full scientific analysis — including pigment and binder identification, molecular and elemental testing, and radiocarbon dating — is typically $12,500. We also offer imaging (X-radiography and infrared reflectography), either as part of the full package or separately. Before we begin, you’ll know exactly what we’re doing and what it will cost — no surprises, just answers.
Four weeks from the moment we receive the work and documentation. We move fast — but we don’t cut corners. You’ll receive not just results, but a clear report that tells you what the data actually means. Need it sooner? Let us know — we’ve handled urgent cases before. Whatever your timeline, our aim is the same: results you can actually use, not just data for a drawer.
Our work sits quietly behind some of the biggest names in the art world: Christie’s, Sotheby’s, major museums, top galleries, and private banks. We’ve supported litigation, catalogues raisonnés, seven (eight, and even nine)-figure acquisitions, and rediscoveries. While we work quietly, our work speaks loudly. Discretion is the rule, not the exception.
Because we’re the only ones who turn analysis into something you can act on – and value you can realise. Our team blends advanced scientific analysis with art historical expertise and proprietary AI tools. The result? A conclusion that holds — in the market, in court, in conversation. And, uniquely, one that can be insured.
From Renaissance to twentieth-century masters, our work spans Leonardo, Rubens, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Munch, Kandinsky, Magritte, and beyond. We’ve supported landmark discoveries, corrected historical records, and helped some of the world’s most important works find their rightful attribution — and rightful value.
Drop us a line, and let’s talk. Because when it comes to art, the story behind the object matters.
